Improved wooden dash availability?
Discussion
My apologies if this has been covered before. I have used the search function and no suitable answers came up.
I love my recently bought Chimaera (1997). One change I'd like, is to revert to a classic wooden dash board. Given the propensity to crack over time (due to differential expansion rates of the various materials, according to the London Carriage Craft site), just fitting a new dash, made in the same way as the originals, will just be a temporary reprieve. Presumably, it will start to crack in 5-10 years time.
Is there an alternative supplier of dashboards, made using a different construction technique? (LCC seem to just do refurbs, not off the shelf pieces). I'd prefer not to be without my dash (and therefore car) for a period while the current dash is re-veneered, hence my search for an off the shelf dash supplier.
Has anyone found a classic car restorer who can make a Chimaera dash from a pattern he already holds?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
David
I love my recently bought Chimaera (1997). One change I'd like, is to revert to a classic wooden dash board. Given the propensity to crack over time (due to differential expansion rates of the various materials, according to the London Carriage Craft site), just fitting a new dash, made in the same way as the originals, will just be a temporary reprieve. Presumably, it will start to crack in 5-10 years time.
Is there an alternative supplier of dashboards, made using a different construction technique? (LCC seem to just do refurbs, not off the shelf pieces). I'd prefer not to be without my dash (and therefore car) for a period while the current dash is re-veneered, hence my search for an off the shelf dash supplier.
Has anyone found a classic car restorer who can make a Chimaera dash from a pattern he already holds?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
David
Edited by Leatherseat on Friday 14th June 19:57
TVR Mads run by Jame Birkby does exchange dashboards, I've just had one fitted to my car by S&D as part of my repair. No pictures yet but it is very nice quality.
www.tvr-mads.co.uk
www.tvr-mads.co.uk
V8 GRF said:
TVR Mads run by Jame Birkby does exchange dashboards, I've just had one fitted to my car by S&D as part of my repair. No pictures yet but it is very nice quality.
www.tvr-mads.co.uk
+1 for TVR Mads, he sells high quality dash replacements for £240 delivered, no exchange needed so no downtimewww.tvr-mads.co.uk
Pbaker43 - that dash looks stunning. A quick look at their web site suggests they know a thing or two about good quality dashboards. I'm happy to pay a little more for a beautiful bit of wood. I may well be in touch with Classical Dash, in the next week, or so.
TVR Mads' dash boards are from (one of) the original TVR suppliers, I seem to recall. They are a good price.
TVR Mads' dash boards are from (one of) the original TVR suppliers, I seem to recall. They are a good price.
Hi Leatherseat,
In fact the price was more competitive than the company in London. I actually visited classical dash premises and spoke to Ian in person just before Christmas, paid up and he couriered the dash to France the end of January, it arrived on a thick section of MDF with lots of bubble wrap and tape. When opened there was NOT a mark, the photo is straight out of he wrapping. Ian did say he refurbishes the dash panels for various clients but would not say who, but there are extensive patterns for many exotic classic cars.
Maybe classical-dash have a deal with TVR Mads’, what ever, I am happy with the new dash.
In fact the price was more competitive than the company in London. I actually visited classical dash premises and spoke to Ian in person just before Christmas, paid up and he couriered the dash to France the end of January, it arrived on a thick section of MDF with lots of bubble wrap and tape. When opened there was NOT a mark, the photo is straight out of he wrapping. Ian did say he refurbishes the dash panels for various clients but would not say who, but there are extensive patterns for many exotic classic cars.
Maybe classical-dash have a deal with TVR Mads’, what ever, I am happy with the new dash.
I was considering this as a winter project myself.
I initially thought of TVR Mads, but my worry was that if they use an original dash manufacturer, the same issue would happen, ie. cracking and splitting after 10 years or so.
Does anyone know if they have improved their manufacturing process?
1
If not, I will likely go for Classical Dash, or London Carriage Company.
I initially thought of TVR Mads, but my worry was that if they use an original dash manufacturer, the same issue would happen, ie. cracking and splitting after 10 years or so.
Does anyone know if they have improved their manufacturing process?
1
If not, I will likely go for Classical Dash, or London Carriage Company.
Malcster said:
I was considering this as a winter project myself.
I initially thought of TVR Mads, but my worry was that if they use an original dash manufacturer, the same issue would happen, ie. cracking and splitting after 10 years or so.
Does anyone know if they have improved their manufacturing process?
1
If not, I will likely go for Classical Dash, or London Carriage Company.
The issue with the dashes cracking was down to the different expansion and contraction rates of the steel backing and the veneer.I initially thought of TVR Mads, but my worry was that if they use an original dash manufacturer, the same issue would happen, ie. cracking and splitting after 10 years or so.
Does anyone know if they have improved their manufacturing process?
1
If not, I will likely go for Classical Dash, or London Carriage Company.
In the 10 or 20 years since these dashboards were made glue technology had moved on and the new glues, as I understand it, allow the veneer to move at a different rate to the metal and so hopefully not crack.
V8 GRF said:
The issue with the dashes cracking was down to the different expansion and contraction rates of the steel backing and the veneer.
In the 10 or 20 years since these dashboards were made glue technology had moved on and the new glues, as I understand it, allow the veneer to move at a different rate to the metal and so hopefully not crack.
But, do we know conclusively if TVR Mads is making use of this new glue etc?In the 10 or 20 years since these dashboards were made glue technology had moved on and the new glues, as I understand it, allow the veneer to move at a different rate to the metal and so hopefully not crack.
Or if it is old TVR stock etc?
I had a complete new dashboard fitted by Central TVR last year and it looks superb. I was a little concerned that it would not match my wooden steering wheel but it is perfect 
I did look at alternatives but they were a lot more money, possibly required my original as a template (therefore lack of car for a while) and I didn't see anyone offering a lifetime warranty or the like at the time so went with a highly recommended option.
The comments about the length of time these veneer dashboards last/should last is not a big issue with me as if I can get one to 5-10 years it could be the longest lasting part on the car
I did look at alternatives but they were a lot more money, possibly required my original as a template (therefore lack of car for a while) and I didn't see anyone offering a lifetime warranty or the like at the time so went with a highly recommended option.
The comments about the length of time these veneer dashboards last/should last is not a big issue with me as if I can get one to 5-10 years it could be the longest lasting part on the car
V8 GRF said:
The issue with the dashes cracking was down to the different expansion and contraction rates of the steel backing and the veneer.
In the 10 or 20 years since these dashboards were made glue technology had moved on and the new glues, as I understand it, allow the veneer to move at a different rate to the metal and so hopefully not crack.
Are we allowed to know what the new glue is? Silkaflex, polyeurathane, silicon, copydex? I believe that differential expansion and contraction can be limited by not leaving our TVRs with windows fully closed in direct sunlight on hot days. Try to park in the shade with slight window opening when locked. Makes at least a 10 degree difference in my BM. Perhaps also even a duster over the dash to prevent direct sunlight on our burr walnut. Nice intro in SPRINT David."It was a good idea". In the 10 or 20 years since these dashboards were made glue technology had moved on and the new glues, as I understand it, allow the veneer to move at a different rate to the metal and so hopefully not crack.
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